Bids opened at Osgood Town Board mtg.
Five bidders range from $291,938.32 to $457,395.75
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Bids were opened for the North Walnut Street Curb and Sidewalk Project at the Osgood Town Board meeting, October 18. There were five bidders with bids ranging from $291,938.32 to $457,395.75. Commonwealth Engineers will study the bids and come back with a recommendation to the board. Bids will be awarded today Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.

David Mohler from Commonwealth Engineering reported to Council on the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Project. He stated when the bids came in higher than expected, parts of the project were cut. The lining company has saved money by lining some area instead of doing point repairs and the town will be able to add some of the cut items back.

Sewer Superintendent Tony Wood said that everything is going well. He believes they are about 75% complete with the lining of the sewer mains. The Sewer Use Ordinance and Permit need to be revised. Wood would like Commonwealth Engineers to assist him with some of those tasks. He would like to see if we could get some of our testing requirements reduced. The board voted to allow Commonwealth Engineers to proceed for an estimated cost not-to-exceed a fee of $7,750.

Steve Wilhoit, street superintendent, announced the following scheduled dates: heavy trash - October 22, leaf pick-up will begin on November 1, limb pick-up day will be November 7. Wilhoit also stated Hughes Tree Service would be in town doing tree trimming.

For the Gas Department, Wilhoit stated the Gas Cost Adjustment Factor will need to be increased another 15%, due to the price of natural gas. He stated that USDI was in town and installed 950' of 2-inch gas pipe south of town. They also changed out four valves, which left six valves that will need to be changed in 2006. October 27 will be the yearly Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission inspection.

The board increased the Gas Cost Adjustment Factor to $9.06.

Cathy May asked if the board would consider going to budget billing. Currently the town does not offer budget billing.

Jim Wagner was present and announced the next "2006" meeting would be held on November 7. It will be at the JCD Elementary School Library. He also said the Tarter Fund and the Herman Crum Fund applications are at Neil Comer's law office and the deadline for turning those in is November 7.

Helen Lohrum was present representing the Osgood Beautification Committee. They would like to place wrought iron park benches around the town. Attorney Mary Ann Gay said there is an ordinance about obstructing sidewalks. They need to be accessible for wheel chairs. The board voted to allow the placing of the benches with the board's ability to ask that any be moved if necessary.

A hearing for the vacating of the alley and East Street by Ruth White has been set for November 15 at 7:00 p.m. Mary Ann Gay will prepare the paperwork and get it to the Clerk-Treasurer for mailing.

Mitchell and Stark claims were approved: $10,795 from the Community Focus Fund match, $7,197.38 from the local match and $946.97 retainage. Permission was granted for president Jeff Volz to sign the Grant Award Agreements from the Reynolds Foundation and the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for the Water Project on State Road 350. David W. Rice was hired for the upcoming position in the Water Department.

All three town board members were present: Jeff Volz, Paul Struckman and Linda Krinop. Attorney Mary Ann Gay and Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Wilhoit were present to advise the board. The next meeting of the Osgood Town Board will be held on November 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall.